“Endgames” has some unusual instrumentation, including solos for contra bassoon, piccolo and bass clarinet. That means a front-and-center role for Interlochen alumna and DSO clarinetist Shannon Orme. In this audio clip, she tells IPR’s Tim Burke how her instrument was one that helped inspire the title “Endgames.”

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra has a balanced budget for the first time in years. The DSO has struggled recently, with $6 million dollar deficits, one of the largest budget deficits of any orchestra in the nation. A musician's strike in 2011 that was also tough on morale.

It’s been six years since the last time the DSO has been in the black. It has also built a growing fan base, at a time when symphonies are struggling with an aging audience.

The musicians strike at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra is now well into its second month. Shows have been cancelled through November. The impasse is, in part, over a proposed pay cut that would put salaries in-line with those at lower tier orchestras.

The players say accepting the concessions would threaten the orchestra's world-class status. But what might the DSO look and sound like if management had its way?